Jerusalem, 22 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli police have arrested a 17-year-old from the Haifa area on suspicion of operating a network that distributed nude images and intimate videos of hundreds of women and minors for years, authorities announced Thursday.
Many of the victims allegedly did not know their images and videos were being sold.
According to investigators, the teenager began operating the network at age 14. He is suspected of running several Telegram groups and charging users hundreds of shekels for access. Police say he personally earned tens of thousands of shekels, while the network, including his associates, generated hundreds of thousands of shekels.
The investigation began about six months ago after a complaint was filed through a police hotline. Detectives obtained warrants, located the suspect and gathered evidence covertly. On Wednesday, officers raided the homes of suspected associates and arrested several of the teenager’s friends and others allegedly involved in the operation.
Investigators say the teenager advertised the material in dozens of groups, offering content organized by category. Prospective buyers contacted him privately to negotiate prices. After receiving payment, he added them to the groups.
Police believe the material, which allegedly depicted girls as young as 12 and women in their twenties, came from exchanges with other users, hidden cameras and footage that may initially have been shared consensually before being distributed without permission.
More than 20 suspected customers were detained for questioning. Police suspect some buyers knew that the material depicted minors and was being circulated without the victims’ consent. Additional customers are expected to be questioned.
Police are expected to ask the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court to extend the detention of the main suspects.
